How long does a divorce take in CA and how much does a divorce cost in California are most frequently asked questions.
in answering How long does a divorce take in CA let starts with the best-case scenario – if you and your spouse decided to proceed with uncontested divorce and using help of divorce paralegal or efficient divorce attorney, you will be single six months and one day since the service of process. When you have a contested divorce there are many factors which influence how long does a divorce take in ca. Many people decide to proceed with where divorce without retaining an attorney. Some of them may use paralegal for the divorce documents preparation and let the judge to resolve their contested issues.
The most complicated answer how long does a divorce take in ca would be in the situation when you and your spouse both retain attorneys. Some attorneys would place their best effort in resolve the disputed issues fast and efficient way, but some would be stimulated to prolong the process as they are getting paid by hours.
The process of uncontested divorce if it handle by experienced paralegal could be completed in a couple months and you will have your judgment (Divorce decree on your hand). However, as we stated above officially you will restore to the status of single 6 months and one day after the service of process of summons.
The process of contested divorce if you hire an attorney might much longer because attorneys get paid by hour and have not much motivation to complete your divorce fast.
After filing the first set of paperwork for the divorce, your attorney will need to serve your spouse and wait for his response. After respondent reply the process of exchanging financial information and discovery following. Discovery could be a prolonged process which takes too long. There are formal and informal discovery. In the case of informal both sides voluntarily exchanging financial information. Formal discovery includes depositions, interrogatories, subpoenas, Requests for production of documents, Motions for physical and mental examinations, Court-ordered examination of persons or property. Sometimes get response to all would take a long time.
In addition, when child custody and visitation are in dispute, the answer how long does a divorce take in ca depends court ordered studies and psychiatric evaluation would be necessary.
If spouses are filing motions, it would cause the delay in the process because the court has a busy schedule.
The question how much how much does a divorce cost in California is also depends whether it is contested or uncontested divorce. In uncontested divorce your divorce cost would be a court filing fees and the documents preparation. Paralegals in Orange county, Riverside County, LA charge between $ 650 and $1100 for the divorce documents preparation and filing for uncontested divorce (not including filing fees). Attorneys in the same geographical area are charging between couple thousands to $6000 a couple thousands for uncontested divorce documents preparation.
The answer on the question how much does a divorce cost in California for contested divorce would shock your consciousness. Contested divorce can drain from tens to a hundred thousand dollars depending on the complexity of the case, how many contested issues and how good parties are willing to cooperate.
You can guess that how long does a divorce take in ca and how much does a divorce cost in California are two directly related questions. If an attorney handling your case, the longer it talks, the more it cost.
We encourage you to approach your divorce as a business. It is easy to say because so much emotions are involved, but our experienced paralegal, who is also a certified mediator will help you to convert your contested divorce into uncontested. We can do your documents preparation for uncontested divorce, filing with the court, finalizing whole process for $499 if you don’t have minor children and $599 if you have minor children. Call 714-390-3766